The Edmonton Oilers really only have three forwards they can count on to produce offense right now. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Those three have combined for 24 of the team’s 60 goals this season, with the rest of the forward group only accounting for 23 (the defense has totaled 13, led by Darnell Nurse’s six).
The first two of that trio are locked up long-term, earning huge salaries and winning plenty of individual awards. But Nugent-Hopkins, he’s on the final year of his current contract and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. That contract was actually a seven-year extension worth $42MM, signed in the fall of 2013 before his entry-level deal had even expired. Since it kicked in, the 2011 first-overall pick has recorded 324 points in 439 games, making the playoffs just once.
Still, Nugent-Hopkins is a huge part of this Oilers team. His transition to wing and budding chemistry with Connor McDavid makes him a valuable piece, but as Ryan Rishaug of TSN reports there have still not been any contract talks between Edmonton and the Nugent-Hopkins camp since before the season began. Rishaug does note that both player and organization have expressed a desire to stay together long-term, but so far, nothing has been worked out.
As much as it seems like the Oilers are a high-powered offense that just can’t defend enough, it’s not really the case. In both 2017-18 and 2018-19, they finished 20th in goals for. In the shortened season last year, they were 15th on a per-game rate. This season they’re off to a better start, though the North Division defense might have something to do with that jump. Instead of a high-powered offense, it’s really just a few outstanding players.
The question the Oilers will have to face is whether re-signing Nugent-Hopkins helps or hurts in the quest to change that. He certainly is a strong third option, but tying even more money up at the top of the roster could be difficult for a team that needs to improve throughout. Even in a depressed market, Nugent-Hopkins will likely secure more than $6MM per season, given he has 74 points in his last 82 games and will reach free agency at the age of 28.
Rishaug notes that “this is not an asset the organization would want to lose for nothing,” implying that Nugent-Hopkins could be a trade candidate in the coming months if there’s not a path to a new contract. It’s certainly premature at this point to think he’s on the way out, but it’s a situation to keep an eye on as the April 12 trade deadline approaches.
Well they have so many holes no cap and he’s gonna want 6+ not coming back next season and they can’t trade him now as without nuge Edmonton goes from having almost no secondary scoring to absolutely no secondary scoring
^ What happened to your punctuation keys?
Damn. I tried to follow your point here, but you really just strung a bunch of words together, even though the don’t belong together. Try again, maybe?
Oil broke
I believe it was some variation of the Oilers can’t live with him and also can’t live without him.
Not untrue, actually.
How about Ryan N-H and Kyle Turris for Philip Danault and Jonathan Drouin. Both Danault and N-H are on expiring contracts, Drouin has two years left after this year at 5.5M and Turris is cheap enough that the Habs have room to pay up for N-H while Edmonton can now afford to extend Danault. Who says no?
Edmonton says no…I think RNH has more value, so maybe some draft picks to push your deal over the line?? Good foundation though.
Rishaug, of all people, knows that this isn’t really news, yet. RNH had stated back in December that he was putting the contract extension talks on hold for the time being. League economics haven’t changed, so contract talks aren’t urgent.
Danault to Edmonton in a trade and sign move would make a lot of sense. Agree with Jacob though mtl would have to pay more assets to get RNH
IMHO RNH needs to be back on the Dynamite Line.
Then determine where to put and pay him.
I feel trading him for a decent 3rd line Centre AND a solid winger could be a good return if he asks for more than 6 million in todays market. Keeping in mind he has been paid 6 milllion for years assuming he’d become a #1 or #2 Center which has not happened.
His skill is without question, his leadership is. Can he lead a solid #1 or #2 line seems suspect.
He seems to be better reading off of other playmakers. Like Draisaitl.
To Nashville for Ryan Ellis?
Ekholm is who I meant
I’d be ok with that, throw in Tolvanen for fun since he’s going to be a bust anyhow;)